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2011 Donor Prizes

This page lists all the prizes available to fund drive donors—we'd like to thank all those who've provided prizes for their generosity. We'll be revealing prizes throughout the month, so don't forget to check back.

Cyborg Lila Black returns in the concluding volume of Justina Robson's genre-blending Quantum Gravity series—pegged as "the best feminist SF in years" in these pages by Kari Sperring. This time around, "The dead are walking, the veil between the worlds is tearing, and if it fails altogether all bets are off."

A copy of Alden Bell's novel has been donated by Karen Munro, who writes: "I'd recommend Reapers because it's a terrific story about a kick-ass teenaged heroine, written in some of the loveliest, sparest southern-Gothic prose I've read. Also, zombies." As a bonus, the winner of this prize will receive a copy of the annual Hunger Mountain Menagerie print issue, which has a theme of fantastic creatures this year and includes Karen's story "Nocturne." (Donated by Karen Munro)

The big idea behind Kelley Eskridge's novel: "I wrote Solitaire to explore the complicated landscape of alone. I found a character named Jackal who defines herself foremost in terms of her community and her connection to others; then I took all that away, and trapped her in the most alone place any of us can go—inside our own heads. Jackal ends up in virtual solitary confinement facing an utterly realistic experience of being locked in a cell for eight years. What happens to her there—her journey through alone—changes everything." This is a copy of Small Beer Press's new edition. (Donated by Small Beer Press)

A copy of The Best Erotic Fantasy and Science Fiction, edited for Circlet by Cecilia Tan and Bethany Zaiatz, and including work by Beth Bernobich, Vylar Kaftan, Connie Wilkins, and others. The portal notes: "There is a little something for everyone as long as you keep an open mind and aren't shy about the s-word." (Donated by Connie Wilkins)

A collection of science fiction poetry by F. J. Bergmann, winner of a Rhysling Award and contributor to Strange Horizons, as well as Mythic Delirium, North American Review, and VOX. (Donated by F. J. Bergmann)

Two lifetime subscriptions to the poetry zine Dreams and Nightmares, published three times a year since 1986. Poets featured in Dreams and Nightmares include Ruth Bergman, Bruce Boston, Samantha Henderson, and Marge Simon. (Donated by David Kopaska-Merkel)

A major original anthology of Mexican science fiction and fantasy, edited by Chris Nakashima-Brown and Eduardo Jimenez Mayo. Among its thirty-plus tales are ghost stories, alien invasions and apocalypses, and much more. From Bruce Sterling's introduction: "When one talks to Mexican science fiction writers, the subject of 'Mexican national content' commonly comes up. [...] This book has got that. Plenty. The interesting part is that this 'Mexican national content' bears so little resemblance to content that most Americans would consider 'Mexican'." (Donated by Chris Nakashima-Brown)

An advance reading copy of Nick Harkaway's second novel, to be published next spring: the publisher calls it a "riveting spy thriller, blistering gangster noir, and howling absurdist comedy", which sounds about right for the author of The Gone-Away World The heroic duo at the centre of the novel, apparently, are the marvellously named Joe Spork (son of an infamous criminal, quiet clockwork repairman) and the formidable Edie Banister (retired superspy, in possession of a broken 1950s doomsday machine). Hijinx will no doubt ensue. (Donated by Nick Harkaway)

A collection of intriguingly askew poems by Andrew Kozma, author of "11th Hour Sonnet" here earlier this year: "Cafes undress, walls merge with air, and rooms speak". see also his website for more examples of his work. (Donated by Andrew Kozma)

This classic ghost story by Suzy McKee Charnas—according to Delia Sherman the most "purely beautiful" of her novels—is one of Aqueduct Press's Heirloom Books. Read an interview with Charnas about the book here. (Donated by Aqueduct Press)

A hardback copy of this standalone alien invasion novel by David Weber, published last year. Publishers Weekly says that Weber pulls off his conceit "in audacious style, with a focus on military-powered action that will thrill fans of his Honor Harrington series."

The first in a new YA series by Lydia Millet (author of the Arthur C. Clarke Award-shortlisted Oh Pure and Radiant Heart). When a watery specter begins to haunt the Sykes family's Cape Cod home, Cara and her brothers realize that their scientist mother may not be who they thought she was—and that the world has much stranger, much older inhabitants than they had imagined. Kirkus: "a lush and intelligent opener for a topical eco-fantasy series." (Donated by Small Beer Press)

A copy of the UK hardback first edition of the classic steampunk novel by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling. From the blurb: "The computer age has arrived a century ahead of time, with Charles Babbage's perfection of his Analytic Engine. The scientists and industrialists are in charge, and history has been permanently and irrevocably altered. Not so human nature...." (Donated by Pornokitsch)

In addition to being a popular poet (winner of this year's Readers' Poll in the poetry category), Marge Simon freelances as an illustrator for a variety of publications, including five Bram Stoker Award collections. Four of her paintings are available as prizes: "Foreign Crossroads," "The Centi," "Spaceport Beggar," and "Watchers." (Donated by Marge Simon)

In the first of Jacqueline West's The Books of Elsewhere, meet eleven-year-old Olive as she moves into a new home with her parents and discovers she can travel inside the antique paintings hanging on the walls to Elsewhere. From Publishers Weekly's starred review: "A suspenseful plot and insight into childhood loneliness—handily amplified by Bernatene's moody and dramatically lit b&w illustrations—will have readers anxiously awaiting the next book." (Donated by Jacqueline West)

Marie Brennan's Onyx Court series of alternative history fantasies reaches the Victorians: and the Fae of London face the threat of the cold iron of the encroaching London Underground. How will faerie science fare against human engineering? (Donated by Marie Brennan)

Gwyneth Jones's recent collection was reviewed here by Paul Graham Raven, who wrote: "She will break your heart, and she will make you think. She will challenge what you think science fiction is about, what it is for, and what it can do in the hands of an expert." This is a career-spanning collection of stories; there's no better introduction to Jones.(Donated by Aqueduct Press)

"Nyx sold her womb somewhere between Punjai and Faleen, on the edge of the desert." First lines don't grab you any harder; not a surprise that Kameron Hurley's first novel was lauded in these pages by Dan Hartland as "a live grenade, lobbed with abandon and not a little mischief." So here's a copy of the first volume of the Bel Dame Apocrypha—just in time for volume two, Infidel, out in October. (Donated by Kameron Hurley)

"The Sacred Teachings of Nerd Culture," runs the subtitle; edited by Stephen H. Segal, with contributions from Genevieve Valentine, N. K. Jemisin, Eric San Juan, and Zaki Hasan, this collection of mini-essays is a guide to the twenty-first century, geek style. (Donated by Genevieve Valentine)

In the first of the Unladylike Adventures of Kat Stephenson—also known as A Most Improper Magick in the UK—it's 1803, and twelve-year-old Kat must deal with her magical heritage while helping her sisters find true love. (This involves, among other things, fighting highwaymen.) A Regency romp! (Donated by Stephanie Burgis)

... of the old school, that is. A prize of two recent novels: Ben Aaronovitch's Moon Over Soho, which charts the continuing adventures of Peter Grant, London-based police constable and apprentice wizard; and Tim Lebbon's Echo City, whose titular, sprawling metropolis is set in another world entirely, where experiments in genetic manipulation are indistinguishable from sorcery.

A signed copy of Ursula K. Le Guin's 2008 novel, narrated by the wife of Aeneas in active dialogue with Virgil's Aeneid. Adam Roberts enthused about it in his review for us: "It possesses a depth, clarity, and wonder greater than most of the fiction being published nowadays." (Donated by Ursula K. Le Guin)

Two anthologies of lesbian SF, offered as separate prizes: Steam-Powered: Lesbian Steampunk Stories, edited by JoSelle Vanderhooft, which includes N. K. Jemisin's "The Effluent Engine" and other stories by Amal-El Mohtar, Shweta Narayan, and others; and Hellebore and Rue: Tales of Queer Women and Magick, edited by JoSelle Vanderhooft and Catherine Lundoff, and including stories by Steve Berman, Connie Wilkins, Sunny Moraine and others. Each available as either PDF ebook or print edition, at the winner's choice. (Donated by Catherine Lundoff and JoSelle Vanderhooft)

A copy of the twenty-first entry in the Wild Cards series includes stories by veterans of this SF/superhero shared world, including Melinda Snodgrass, Stephen Leigh, and John Joseph Miller, as well as work by newcomers Paul Cornell, David Anthony Durham, Mary Anne Mohanraj, and Cherie Priest. The titular fort is Manhattan's Fifth Precinct: "where every other desk sergeant, detective, and patrol officer is more than human." (Donated by David Anthony Durham)

The first collection of short stories about Kitty Norville, a late-night radio DJ who ends up hosting a call-in radio show about supernatural issues—and is a werewolf. Carrie Vaughn's series has been popular with both fantasy and romance readers; for a taste of what Kitty is like, check out "Winnowing the Herd," an original Kitty short story published here in 2006. The winner of this package will receive a signed hardback of Kitty's Greatest Hits (which includes "Winnowing"), plus a custom CD of Vaughn's playlist for the book. (Donated by Carrie Vaughn)

Two separate prizes. First, a copy of A Field Guide to Surreal Botany, edited by Janet Chui and Jason Erik Lundberg, is an anthology of fictional plant species that exist beyond the realm of the real, with contributions from Darja Malcolm-Clarke, Ben Peek, Jay Lake, Vera Nazarian, and many others. Fully illustrated in full color by Janet Chui, the specimen entries reveal a witty, strange world. And second, a copy of Jason Erik Lundberg's first short story collection, Red Dot Irreal, due out soon from Math Paper Press, and collecting stories set in Singapore and Bali. (Donated by Jason Erik Lundberg)

Genevieve Valentine's stories and columns will be familiar to Strange Horizons readers: here's a chance to win a signed copy of her widely praised first novel, Mechanique. According to Publishers Weekly: "a menacing and fascinating debut." (Donated by Genevieve Valentine)

Be immortalized by acclaimed author and Strange Horizonscontributor Jay Lake, in his ongoing spare opera project Sunspin. Your chance to be a morally indifferent starship, psychotic immortal cyborg, or just an unfortunate redshirt! (Donated by Jay Lake)

Practice your language skills with Alaya Dawn Johnson's Moonshine! Four copies of this alternate 1920s vampire novel are available: one German edition, one Italian edition, and two English-language editions. From Ellen Datlow's blurb: "Moonshine is an utterly captivating novel, depicting a richly detailed 1920s alternative New York City inhabited by social activists, feminists ... and Others." (Donated by Alaya Dawn Johnson)

A piece of original artwork—a sketch or a painting—by "mastersinger of the space opera" and recent Hugo nominee Alastair Reynolds, based on a scene from one of his books or stories. The winner of this prize can either nominate three scenes from which Reynolds will pick one, or leave it to Reynolds to make a choice. (Donated by Alastair Reynolds)

Two volumes of poetry by Mary A. Turzillo, the chapbook Galileo's Blindness and the Pushcart Prize-nominated collection Your Cat and Other Space Aliens: "A wild and crazy mix of everyday life, cats with attitude, cats with dialects, cats with a sex life jumbled in with heaven, hospitals, raccoons—anything in the natural world is fair game here." (Donated by Mary Turzillo)

A signed hardback copy of Adam Roberts's twelfth science fiction novel, just published and already attracting glowingreviews that suggest the book's contents live up to the beauty of its cover. (Donated by Adam Roberts)

A copy of Brenda Cooper's new novel: "What do an ancient shaman, a modern-day scientist, a computer nerd in dreadlocks, and an eleven-year-old girl have in common? Join these adventurers as they traverse the Yucatan peninsula—and time itself—in a search for the meaning of life. Oh, and for jaguars." (Donated by Brenda Cooper)

Andrea Hairston's second novel is a magical, musical, romantic adventure in which two companions—Redwood, an African American woman, and Aidan, a Seminole Irish man—travel from Georgia to Chicago at the start of the twentieth century. From Carol Cooper's review in the Village Voice: "An allegory for all paradigm-shifting artistic innovation ... the love story of two people who struggle to invoke the free, interracial paradise that already exists in their hearts." (Donated by Aqueduct Press)

Delia Sherman's forthcoming new novel is a time-travel fantasy that slips from 1960 to 1860, when thirteen-year-old Sophie is granted an impulsive wish. N. K. Jemisin says: "A seamless blending of wondrous American myth with harsh American reality." Nisi Shawl says: "Sophie's adventures in the history of her family's Louisiana plantation feel real, and lead her to a real understanding of racial truths." We say: sounds fabulous. (Donated by Small Beer Press)

A trade paperback copy of Felix Gilman's 2010 novel, a boldly imaginative riff on American history set in a world that becomes less real the further west you travel, but is made real and rational by the gradual encroachment of settlers; a world locked in an eternal conflict between the Gun and the Line. Ursula K. Le Guin says: "We haven't had a science-fiction novel like this for a long time."

A complete subscription (worth AUS$180) to the Twelve Planet Press Twelve Planets series, including mini-collections by Deborah Biancotti, Margo Lanagan, Lucy Sussex, Kaaron Warren and others (eight others, in fact). The volumes published so far will be shipped straight after the fund drive, the rest as they are published. A brilliant way to sample the best of Australia's SF writers. (Donated by Twelfth Planet Press)

The Rhysling Award-winning title poem is the centrepiece of this collection by Kendall Evans and David C. Kopaska-Merkel—but there's plenty of other ambitious, adventurous, absurdist work here as well. Signed by both authors. (Donated by David Kopaska-Merkel)

The casualties of armed confrontation are not always found on the battlefield. Such is the central theme of Joel Best's Stories from the New War, a collection of more than one hundred short pieces that deal with the lives of individuals in an anonymous modern city: how they live and work, how they treat one another in the face of unending attacks from a faceless enemy, how they move toward their ultimate fate, for better or worse, without ever once setting foot in the trenches. This copy is signed by the author. (Donated by Joel Best)

Hardback (British edition) copies of The Dead-Tossed Waves and The Dark and Hollow Places, the second and third novels in Carrie Ryan's acclaimed YA zombie series starting with The Forest of Hands and Teeth. Life after the Return has many challenges—and involves many roads leading back to the forest.

A signed copy of L. Timmel Duchamp's new collection, which includes stories first published in Paraspheres, Bending the Landscape and Asimov's Science Fiction magazine—such as "The World and Alice", a graceful lament for the political consciousness (or lack thereof) of our times—plus several new stories. If you only know Duchamp from her occasional reviews here, you're in for a treat. (Donated by Aqueduct Press)

Everything you need before your time travel trip! The Time Traveler's Pocket Guide contains "practical advice helpful charts, a set of emergency muttonchops, and twenty-one pages of illustrations": you'll wonder how you ever coped without it. This copy will be signed by the author K. Sekelsky, and one of the other contributors, M. Bennardo. (Donated by Matthew Bennardo)

Hannah Strom-Martin reviewed this "collection of stories about people who know how they will die" for us earlier this year, finding "an impressive variety of tone and subject [...] and an even more impressive knack for the authors to cheat our expectations". The winner of this prize will get a copy of the limited edition hardcover signed by at least one of the editors (Ryan North, Matthew Bennardo and David Malki !), plus some related goodies. Prediction of your own death not guaranteed. (Donated by Matthew Bennardo)